Gifts to Mom
If you are
wondering why this is in the "On God" section, see the bottom.
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors
and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having
dinner together. They discussed the gifts that they were able to give
to their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the
house."
The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver her an SL600.
The fourth said, "Listen to this. You know how Mama loved reading the
Bible and you know she can't read it anymore because she can't see very
well. I met this priest who told me about a parrot that can recite the
entire Bible. It took twenty priests 12 years to teach him. I had to
pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but
it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the
parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed.
After the holidays, Mom sent out her "Thank You" notes.
She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one
room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries
delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you give me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could
hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm
nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the
same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a
little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
So, you ask... why is this in the
"On God" section?
Well in reading this, it seems as
though there are several wonderful analogies:
1) It seems as though if the sons
had actually spent time with Mom, they would have known her
better. Reading between the lines, my bet is that she would
have far more appreciated time spent with her than just sending
expensive gifts.
So too it is with God and with
your family members. Without time spent, aren't gifts almost
worthless?
2) Expensive and elaborate gifts
are worthless if they have no value to the user. That which
is good is not always profitable just that which is profitable is
not always good. Or as the Bible puts it, "What good
does it do you to gain the wealth of the world and lose your own
soul in the process?"
3) That which you give to God
will not always be used in the way that you intended it to be
used.
